Guests Just Want to Have Fun! A Good Time for All at Your Reception

Chances are good that you will have a grand time at your reception. And if you find ways to make your guests feel like a part of your celebration, the odds are even better the night will be not only a success, but a memorable occasion for everyone there.

There are several ways you can do this. One very popular idea is a photo booth. You can rent a booth for guests to take their own pictures, which they can keep as favors or include (ask for them!) in your guest book. Some photo booths are big enough for group shots and come with fabric backgrounds, props and costumes. An alternative is to provide disposable digital cameras at each table so the guests can capture candid moments that might otherwise be missed. Of course, you have a great photographer, but even the most skilled professional can’t be everywhere at once. Be sure to put notes on the cameras to leave them on the tables so you can have them gathered up at the end of the evening.

Other ideas include hiring a caricaturist or a balloon artist — always a sure hit with children! Small casino stations, candy bars, karaoke, and even Wii and DDR stations are not unheard of these days.

If you think you might need to encourage dancing, assign each table a song. When the band or DJ plays the song, it will be the cue for guests at that table to get up and dance! Or if you’re worried about mingling at a sit-down dinner reception, plan ahead with assigned seating charts. You could also opt for a sweetheart table for the newlyweds and let your attendants sit among the guests to help the conversation flow.

And then there are the games. Musical chairs or scavenger hunts (with the help of your band or DJ) are always a hit. Also musical dollar — whoever is left holding the dollar at the end of a song wins the centerpiece. Or wedding couple trivia where you encourage all your guests to play. It’s all about the mood and energy you want at your reception.

No matter what, it’s your day to have fun. But it’s all the better when everyone is enjoying themselves as much as you are. ~KGM